Join us on 3 December 2026 for the next session of The Internal Auditor’s Exchange series, ‘Strategy Under the Spotlight: Internal Audit’s Role in Driving Confidence’.
As organisations navigate increasing complexity and scrutiny, Internal Audit plays a critical role in providing confidence that strategy is well governed, key risks are understood and managed, and strategic objectives remain achievable and sustainable. Access the agenda for the second session here.
Target Audience:
This session is intended for internal audit professionals and leaders, as well as those involved in strategy, governance, risk and assurance, including Board and Audit Committee members.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain Internal Audit’s role in strategy and its assurance and advisory boundaries.
- Identify key risks across strategy design, governance, execution and monitoring.
- Apply practical approaches to assess whether strategy is well governed and remains achievable.
- Align Internal Audit’s assurance work with Board and Audit Committee expectations for oversight of strategic objectives.
- Constructively challenge strategic assumptions and communicate assurance insights effectively.
- Develop appropriate assurance responses to strategic risks while maintaining Internal Audit’s independence.
Date: 3 December 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Venue: Hyatt Regency Malta, St. Julian’s
Fee: €50
CPE Hours: This session qualifies for 3 hours of Structured CPE which can be classified as Core Competency. A certificate of attendance will be provided at the end of the session.
Speakers:
Alex Azzopardi, Partner, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Alex joined the firm in 2005 within the firm’s Audit function where he specialised in the external audits of financial services entities. After 8 years, Alex moved to the Advisory function, where he assisted in the setting up of the Internal Audit Services line. Today, he leads engagements mainly focused on the provision of services in enterprise risk, corporate governance, regulatory compliance (including licensing), AML/CFT and internal audit services across the regulated financial services sectors and other non-regulated businesses. Alex is the Immediate Past Chairperson of the IIA – Malta, Fellow of the MIA, and a member of ISACA.
Giselle Borg, Partner, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Giselle is an experienced professional with a strong background in governance, risk, and compliance, across a range of industries. Throughout her career, she has led audit and assurance engagements for major market players, working both in Malta and with KPMG London’s audit department. Today, Giselle advises entities on corporate governance, regulatory reporting, risk management, internal audit, and actuarial matters. She supports organisations in navigating evolving expectations and aligning their structures and operations accordingly. Giselle also assists clients in establishing regulated entities in Malta, guiding them through licensing processes and cross-border considerations, including freedom of services, establishment, and general good requirements across European jurisdictions.
Tonio Zarb, Engagement Leader, Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
KPMG in Malta’s Senior Partner between 2012 and 2020, and a retired partner as of 1 October 2021, Tonio Zarb is today a Consultant to KPMG in Malta and an advisory engagement leader. Tonio is also the President of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and a Governor of Finance Malta. Tonio has extensive experience in deal advisory and restructuring services and possesses detailed knowledge of strategy and business planning processes. He has led several engagements relating to business valuations, financing (including public offerings), financial due diligence, and financial reviews. Tonio has a particular interest is leadership, organisational culture and governance and has carried out a number of engagements in this area. Tonio is a past President of the Malta Institute of Accountants having spent twenty-four years on the Institute’s Council in various roles and served as a member of the council of the European Federation of Accountants.
Steve Stivala, Director, Advisory – Infrastructure, Public Policy and Strategy, KPMG in Malta
Steve is an economist by profession and works across KPMG’s audit, tax and advisory functions. He provides the economic background and specialist knowledge required in a firm providing multi-faced business solutions to clients. Steve’s main area of expertise is Economics, Public Policy, and Strategy, bringing to the table an economic perspective to client problems, using both quantitative tools (Econometrics, simulations, data analytics) and qualitative insight (economic principles). During his time at KPMG Steve worked on several high-profile projects involving Industry and market analysis, ‘Cost Benefit Analysis’ for EU fund applications, ‘Socio-Economic Impact Assessments’ required by Governments (local and international) for various public decisions, Evaluations of EU funds and national programmes, and other economics-related work.
Juzer Rangwala, Senior Manager, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Juzer Rangwala is a Senior Manager, Risk Consulting Advisory Services at KPMG in Malta, specialising in risk-based internal audits, enterprise risk management (ERM), and external quality assurance. With over 12 years of experience, he has led internal audit and advisory engagements, providing expertise in governance, risk management, and internal controls. Juzer is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Certified Internal Auditor from the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Ricknelson Kigodi, Manager, Risk Consulting Advisory Services, KPMG in Malta
Ricknelson is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and an active member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). For over six years, he has delivered internal audit, governance, and compliance engagements to clients across various sectors and regions. Ricknelson possesses an extensive understanding of the International Professional Practice Framework (IPPF) and its components including his experience conducting external quality assurance reviews (QARs) of internal audit functions, assessing their adherence to IPPF requirements and best practices. Currently, Ricknelson is a Manager within the Risk Consulting Advisory Services team at KPMG Malta and has prior experience from KPMG East Africa where he delivered technical trainings focused on internal controls, internal audits, and risk management topics.
Deborah Schembri, Independent Non-Executive Director
Deborah Schembri is a highly experienced Board Director, Board Committee Chair, former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, with more than 25 years of leadership experience across regulated financial services and a wide range of diversified business sectors. She currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Bank of Valletta plc, where she chairs the Audit Board Committee and is a member of the Risk and Nominations Board Committees. She is also an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Audit Board Committee of MAPFRE MSV Life plc, as well as a Non-Executive Director of BOV Asset Management Limited. Across these appointments, Deborah provides independent judgement and constructive challenge on strategy, financial reporting, audit and assurance, risk, internal control, regulatory compliance, governance, organisational resilience and transformation. During her executive career, Deborah spent ten years as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of a leading organisation. She led its development from inception into a major international provider, with responsibility for strategic direction, governance, financial performance and regulatory engagement, alongside business development, digitalisation and organisational transformation. Her executive career also includes senior strategic and financial leadership roles. Deborah’s experience spans financial services, maritime and logistics, tourism and hospitality, property and construction, corporate services, education, energy, gaming, healthcare and pest control. This breadth brings a cross-sector perspective to strategy and risk, connecting commercial ambition with financial discipline, effective governance and sustainable value creation. Deborah is a strong advocate of Internal Audit’s evolving role in providing foresight as well as assurance. She believes that Internal Audit can strengthen confidence by assessing whether strategic ambitions are supported by credible execution plans, effective governance, appropriate risk management and a resilient control environment, while also challenging assumptions and highlighting emerging risks before they crystallise. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration from Henley Management College. Her professional and industry leadership includes serving as Chairperson of the Financial Services Committee of the Malta Chamber of Commerce.
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